Tank car nozzle reinforcement and flashing

ABSTRACT

According to some embodiments, a method of flashing a jacketed rail car comprises covering an opening in a tank jacket of a rail car with a first flashing piece. The opening permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprises a base portion of a first perimeter and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter. The first flashing piece comprises a slot. The method further comprises bonding the first flashing piece to the jacket and to the base portion of the fitting, and bonding a vertical support piece to the tank shell. The vertical support piece extends through the slot in the first flashing piece. The method further comprises bonding the vertical support piece to the top flanged portion of the fitting; covering the slot with a second flashing piece; and bonding the second flashing piece to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Particular embodiments relate generally to jacketed railroad tank cars, and more particularly to nozzle reinforcement and jacket flashing for tank cars.

BACKGROUND

Railroad tank cars transport liquid commodities, such as oil, ethanol, liquid natural gas, etc. Department of Transportation (DOT), Association of American Railroads (AAR), and Transport Canada (TC) specifications require thermal protection for tank cars that transport particular commodities, such as flammable commodities. For example, a DOT 117 compliant tank car blankets the tank shell with an insulating and thermal protection layer, such as a ceramic fiber blanket, which is covered and protected by an outer steel jacket.

Existing tank cars may be retrofitted to meet the DOT 117 standard. For example, insulating material and a jacket may be applied to the tank of an existing tank car, such as a DOT 111 or CPC-1232 tank car, to bring the existing tank car in compliance with DOT 117 requirements.

Jacketing a tank car (retrofit or new construction) typically includes applying a steel jacket with oversized openings for tank fittings (e.g., nozzles, manways, valves, gauges, etc.) so that the fittings may protrude through the jacket. After the jacket is applied to the tank car, flashing is applied to weather-seal any gaps between the jacket openings and the fittings.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a method of flashing a jacketed rail car comprises covering an opening in a jacket of a tank shell of a rail car with a first flashing piece. The opening in the jacket permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprises a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter. The first flashing piece comprises a first portion corresponding to a shape of a portion of the opening in the jacket; a second portion corresponding to a shape of the base portion of the fitting; and a slot. The method further comprises bonding the first portion of the first flashing piece to the jacket; bonding the second portion of the first flashing piece to the base portion of the fitting; and bonding a first end of a vertical support piece to the tank shell. The vertical support piece extends through the slot in the first flashing piece. The method further comprises bonding a second end of the vertical support piece to the top flanged portion of the fitting; covering the slot in the first flashing piece with a second flashing piece; and bonding the second flashing piece to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece. The first flashing piece may comprise a plurality of separate pieces to facilitate installation.

In particular embodiments, bonding the first end of the vertical support piece to the tank shell comprises inserting the first end of the vertical support piece in the slot and bonding the first end of the vertical support piece to the tank shell in the slot. The slot may be disposed beneath the flanged portion of the fitting when the first flashing piece is bonded to the base portion of the fitting.

In particular embodiments, bonding comprises welding. The first flashing piece, the second flashing piece, and/or the vertical support piece may comprise steel. The fitting may comprise a nozzle.

According to some embodiments, a rail car comprises a generally cylindrical tank shell for transporting a commodity and a jacket covering the tank shell. An opening in the jacket permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprising a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter. A first flashing piece substantially covers the opening in the jacket around the fitting protruding through the jacket. The first flashing piece comprises a slot. A vertical support piece comprising a first end is bonded to the tank shell and a second end extending through the slot of the first flashing piece is bonded to the top flanged portion of the fitting. A second flashing piece covers the slot in the first flashing piece. The first flashing piece may comprise a plurality of separate pieces bonded together to facilitate installation.

In particular embodiments, the slot of the first flashing piece is disposed beneath the flanged portion of the fitting. The first flashing piece may be welded to the jacket and to the fitting. The second flashing piece may be welded to the first flashing piece and the vertical support.

In particular embodiments, the first flashing piece, the second flashing piece, and/or the vertical support piece may comprise steel. The fitting may comprise a nozzle.

According to some embodiments, a flashing assembly for a jacket of a tank car comprises a first flashing piece. The first flashing piece comprises a first portion corresponding to a shape of a portion of an opening in a jacket of a tank car. The opening in the jacket permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprises a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter. The first flashing piece further comprises a second portion corresponding to a shape of the base portion of the fitting, and a slot sized to accommodate a vertical support piece extending through the slot between the tank shell and the flanged portion of the fitting. The flashing assembly further comprises a second flashing piece sized to cover the slot in the first flashing piece. The first flashing piece may comprise a plurality of separate pieces to facilitate installation.

In particular embodiments, the slot is sized to permit bonding of the vertical support piece to the tank shell after the first flashing piece is bonded to the fitting. The fitting may comprise a nozzle.

Particular embodiments may exhibit some of the following technical advantages. Particular embodiments enable a weather-tight seal around a flanged fitting, such as a multi-housing nozzle, when the fitting includes a number of vertical reinforcing supports between a flanged portion of the fitting and the tank shell (or a repad of the tank shell). Particular embodiments enable a rail operator to access bolt holes under the flanged portion of the fitting because the weather-tight seal is provided without boxing in the flanged portion of the fitting. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments and their features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example insulated tank car with a cross section cutout to illustrate the thermal layers;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with an example jacket opening for top fittings;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a top view of example jacket flashing pieces;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces sealing a jacket opening around top fittings;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an example nozzle with vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a top view of an example nozzle with vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a top view of example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements sealing a jacket opening around top fittings, according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements sealing a jacket opening around top fittings, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and vertical reinforcements, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and slot closure pieces, according to a particular embodiment; and

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and slot closure pieces, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

DOT 117 specifications include protection for top fittings. Top fitting protection may include a repad around manways and multi-housing nozzles. Multi-housing nozzles may include vertical supports or reinforcements from the repad to the nozzle flange. The nozzle flange may include bolt holes. To permit access to the bolts, the vertical supports do not completely box in the nozzle. Instead, the vertical supports are typically located at particular locations around the circumference of the nozzle (e.g., two locations along the longitudinal centerline of the tank car), leaving enough room around the vertical supports for a rail operator to access the bolt holes. While the vertical supports provide additional protection for the nozzle, they can interfere with the application of flashing between a jacket of the tank car and the nozzle.

For example, without vertical supports, a flashing piece may be cut with a semi-circular portion that corresponds to a circumference of a base of the nozzle and the flashing piece may be bonded directly to the nozzle. The vertical supports, however, may interfere with binding a semi-circular flashing piece directly to the base of the nozzle. One solution may include precisely machining an opening in a flashing piece to accommodate the vertical support, but this solution can be time consuming and difficult to create a good fit between the flashing piece and the vertical support.

Another solution may include boxing in the fitting. For example, if the vertical support completely boxes in the fitting, then a flashing piece may be cut with a semi-circular portion that corresponds to a circumference of the vertical support and the flashing piece may be bonded directly to the vertical support. Many nozzles, however, include bolt holes in the flanged portion of the nozzle. Boxing in the nozzle prevents access to the bolt holes from underneath the flange, which is unacceptable to a rail operator.

An object of the present disclosure is to obviate at least these disadvantages and provide flashing with a slot for welding a vertical support between a nozzle flange and the nozzle repad to form a weather-tight seal between the jacket and the nozzle. Particular embodiments include a flashing piece with slots to accommodate the vertical supports. The flashing piece may be bonded to the base of the nozzle and the slot may be sized so that the vertical support may be installed after the flashing piece is bonded to the nozzle. For example, after bonding the flashing piece to the nozzle, a welder may insert the vertical support in the slot. The slot is wide enough for the welder to insert tools to bond the vertical support to the repad of the nozzle. After the flashing piece and vertical support are installed, the welder may bond a piece of closure flashing to cover the slot in the flashing piece, creating a weather-tight seal between the tank jacket and the nozzle. Particular embodiments simplify the process of flashing a tank jacket without restricting access to the nozzle flange bolt holes.

The following description sets forth numerous specific details. It is understood, however, that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

Particular embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 1-10B of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. A railroad tank car is used throughout this disclosure as an example, but the ideas presented herein may apply to other jacketed tanks as well, such as tanks on other types of railcars, vehicles, or vessels.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example insulated tank car with a cross section cutout to illustrate the thermal layers. Tank car 100 includes tank 102 coupled to trucks 104. Trucks 104 are connected by a center sill (not illustrated). The center sill also supports tank 102. Tank car 100 also includes top fittings 112. Top fittings 112 include protective nozzles that house various valves, gauges, inlet/outlet connections, manways, and other equipment. Top fittings 112 may be coupled to tank 102 with structural pads and/or repads.

Tank 102 comprises tank shell 106, insulating material 108, and jacket 110. Tank shell 102 contains the commodity for transport, such as oil or any other liquid. Insulating material 108 blankets tank shell 106 to provide insulation and thermal protection for tank shell 106. Jacket 110 provides a protective, weatherproof cover for tank shell 106 and insulating material 108. The cross-sectional cutout portion of FIG. 1 illustrates the layering of tank shell 106, insulating material 108, and jacket 110. Jacket 110 may comprise steel or any other suitable material for jacketing a tank car.

When a tank manufacturer applies jacket 110 to tank shell 106, jacket 110 may include oversized openings for tank fittings, such as top fittings 112, so that the fittings may protrude through jacket 110. After the manufacturer applies jacket 110 to tank shell 106, the manufacturer may apply flashing to weather-seal any gaps between the jacket openings and the fittings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with an example jacket opening for top fittings. Jacket 110 includes opening 206. Opening 206 is sized such that jacket 110 may be easily applied around nozzle 202 and manway 204. Nozzle 202 and manway 204 protrude through opening 206 in jacket 110. Nozzle 202 and/or manway 204 may comprise steel or any other suitable material.

Although a particular configuration of top fittings is illustrated, particular embodiments may apply to other configurations as well. For example, particular embodiments may apply to any jacket opening for any type of flanged fitting.

For jacket 110 to form a weather-tight seal, opening 206 may be closed or covered to keep out rain, snow, ice, dust, etc. For example, after jacket 110 is applied to tank shell 106, opening 206 may be closed or covered with one or more flashing pieces.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a top view of example jacket flashing pieces. Flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 and 310 are shaped to cover an open space between an opening in a tank car jacket and fittings that protrude through the jacket, such as nozzle 202 and manway 204 protruding through opening 206 of jacket 110 illustrated in FIG. 2. Flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 and 310 may comprise steel or any other material suitable for jacketing a tank car.

For example, a first portion of flashing piece 304 corresponds to a shape of opening 206. A second, semi-circular portion of flashing piece 304 corresponds to the shape of a base portion of nozzle 202. In the illustrated example, the second, semi-circular portion of flashing piece 304 corresponds to half of the circumference of the base portion of nozzle 202. To facilitate ease of installation, flashing piece 306 corresponds to the other half of the circumference of the base portion of nozzle 202.

Similarly, a first portion of flashing piece 308 corresponds to a shape of opening 206 and a second, semi-circular portion of flashing piece 308 corresponds to the shape of a base portion of manway 204 (e.g., half the circumference of the base portion of manway 204). Flashing piece 310 corresponds to the other half of the circumference of the base portion of manway 204.

In particular embodiments, a flashing piece may comprise a single flashing piece or a plurality of flashing pieces. The illustrated example includes four flashing pieces. Other embodiments may include any suitable number of flashing pieces.

In particular embodiments, flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 o 310 may be bonded to each other, to jacket 110, and/or to fittings 202 or 204 to seal opening 206. In particular embodiments bonding may include welding, cementing, or any other bonding suitable for attaching the flashing pieces to the various components of tank car 100.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces sealing a jacket opening around top fittings. To facilitate ease of installation, opening 206 in jacket 100 is covered or closed with a plurality of flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 and 310.

For example, to flash opening 206 flashing piece 304 may be bonded (e.g., welded) to a portion of jacket 110 and to a base portion of nozzle 202 (because a circumference of the top flanged portion of nozzle 202 is greater than a circumference of the base portion of nozzle 202, the weld bonding flashing piece 304 to nozzle 202 is not visible in the top view illustrated in FIG. 4). Flashing piece 306 may be bonded (e.g., welded) to a portion of jacket 110 and to a base portion of nozzle 202 on the opposite side of nozzle 202 from flashing piece 304. Flashing piece 304 and 306 may also be bonded to each other. In the illustrated example, the welds between any one of flashing pieces 304, 306, 308, 310 and jacket 110 are illustrated by the wavy, broken lines covering the joints and forming a weather-tight seal between pieces. These lines are not meant to indicate a gap or space between pieces.

Flashing pieces 308 and 310 may be bonded to jacket 110 and manway 204 in a similar manner. Flashing pieces 308 and 310 may be bonded to each other and to flashing pieces 304 and/or 306. In particular embodiments, portions of flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 or 310 may overlap with jacket 110 or may be bonded flush with jacket 110.

In the illustrated example, flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 and 310 all intersect near a center of opening 206. In particular embodiments, an intersection of one or more of flashing pieces 304, 306, 308 and 310 may be offset from each other. Offsetting the joints between flashing pieces may create a stronger bond. For example, flashing piece 304 may be wider than flashing piece 308 and flashing piece 310 may be wider than flashing piece 306 so that the joints between flashing pieces are offset from each other.

When a nozzle, such as nozzle 202, includes vertical supports or reinforcements between the flanged portion of the nozzle and the tank shell, such as tank shell 106, or a repad coupled to the tank shell, the vertical supports or reinforcements may interfere with the application of flashing pieces, such as flashing pieces 304 and 306.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an example nozzle with vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment. Nozzle 202 is coupled to tank shell 106. Nozzle 202 includes base portion 506 and flanged portion 508. A circumference of flanged portion 508 is greater than a circumference of base portion 506. In particular embodiments, repad 502 may be coupled to tank shell 106 around nozzle 202.

Vertical support pieces 504 are coupled to repad 502 and flanged portion 508 of nozzle 202. In particular embodiments, vertical supports pieces 504 may be coupled to tank shell 106. In particular embodiments, vertical support pieces 504 may comprise steel or any other suitable material.

Vertical support pieces 504 provide additional support and reinforcement for nozzle 202. For example, vertical support pieces 504 may provide protection for nozzle 202 during a rollover accident.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a top view of an example nozzle with vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of example nozzle 202 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Flanged portion 508 of nozzle 202 may include bolt holes 602. Vertical support pieces 504 are bonded to particular locations around the circumference of flanged portion 508. Vertical support pieces 504 are located so that a rail operator may access bolt holes 602.

In the illustrated example, vertical support pieces 504 are located on opposite sides of nozzle 202 along the longitudinal centerline of nozzle 202. In particular embodiments, vertical support pieces 504 may be disposed at any suitable location around the circumference of nozzle 202.

Vertical support pieces 504 are offset from base portion 506 of nozzle 202. Vertical support pieces 504 may prevent flashing pieces, such as flashing pieces 304 and 306 illustrated in FIG. 3, from contacting base portion 506 of nozzle 202. Particular embodiments include a flashing piece with slots to accommodate vertical supports, such as vertical support pieces 504.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a top view of example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment. Flashing pieces 704 and 706 are shaped to cover an open space between an opening in a tank car jacket and fittings that protrude through the jacket, such as nozzle 202 with vertical support pieces 504 protruding through opening 206 of jacket 110 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

For example, a first portion of flashing piece 704 corresponds to a shape of opening 206. A second, semi-circular portion of flashing piece 704 corresponds to the shape of a base portion of nozzle 202. In the illustrated example, the second, semi-circular portion of flashing piece 704 corresponds to half of the circumference of the base portion of nozzle 202. To facilitate ease of installation, flashing piece 706 corresponds to the other half of the circumference of the base portion of nozzle 202.

Flashing pieces 704 and 706 include slots 708. Slots 708 correspond to the shape and location of vertical support pieces 504. Machining slots 708 to conform exactly to vertical supports 504 may be difficult and time consuming. To alleviate these problems, slots 708 may be formed substantially wider than vertical support pieces 504. In particular embodiments, slots 708 may enable vertical support pieces 504 to be installed through flashing pieces 704 and 706, or may enable flashing pieces 704 and 706 to be installed around vertical support pieces 504. For example, slot 708 may comprise a width that enables a welder to weld vertical support piece 504 to tank shell 106 or repad 502 through slot 708 after flashing piece 704 is bonded to jacket 110 and nozzle 202. Or slot 708 may comprise a width that enables a manufacturer to easily install flashing piece 704 around vertical support piece 504 after vertical support piece 504 is bonded to tank shell 106 or repad 502.

FIGS. 8A-10B illustrate an example method of flashing a jacketed rail car, according to some embodiments. In particular embodiments, one or more steps of the method may be performed to flash a tank car, such as tank car 100 described with respect to FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements sealing a jacket opening around top fittings, according to a particular embodiment. A first flashing piece comprises flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and 706. Flashing pieces 704 and 706 comprise slots 708. In particular embodiments, slot 708 is disposed below flanged portion of 508 of nozzle 202 and slot 504 extends outwards away from nozzle 202.

In particular embodiments, a first portion of flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and/or 706 correspond to a shape of opening 206. A second portion of flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and/or 706 corresponds to a base portion of nozzle 202 or manway 204. Particularly, a second portion of flashing pieces 704 and 706 correspond to base portion 506 of nozzle 202.

As a first step, an opening in a jacket of a tank shell of a rail car is covered with a first flashing piece. For example, a manufacturer may cover or close opening 206 in tank shell 106 of tank car 100 with a first flashing piece such as any one or combination of flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and/or 706.

As a next step, the first portion of the first flashing piece is bonded to the jacket. For example, the first portion of any one of flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and/or 706 may be bonded (e.g., welded) to jacket 110. In particular embodiments, flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and/or 706 may overlap jacket 110 or be flush with jacket 110.

As a next step, the second portion of the first flashing piece is bonded to the base portion of the fitting. For example, the second portion of any one or combination of flashing pieces 704 and/or 706 may be bonded (e.g., welded) to base portion 506 of nozzle 202. FIG. 8A illustrates flashing pieces 308, 310, 704, and 706 welded to jacket 110, nozzle 202, manway 204, and to each other.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces that include slots for vertical reinforcements sealing a jacket opening around top fittings, according to some embodiments. FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of nozzle 202 and flashing piece 704 illustrated in FIG. 8A.

Flashing piece 704, which includes slot 708, is bonded to base portion 506 of nozzle 202. Flashing piece 704 is also bonded to jacket 110 (not illustrated). The distance between repad 502 and flashing piece 704 corresponds to a width of the thermal material used to blanket tank shell 106.

Slot 708 is disposed below flanged portion 508 of nozzle 202. In particular embodiments, slot 708 may be disposed in any suitable location to accommodate a vertical support or reinforcement.

The next steps of the method for flashing a jacketed tank car may be illustrated with respect to FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and vertical reinforcements, according to a particular embodiment. FIG. 9A illustrates the components of FIG. 8A with vertical supports pieces 708 bonded to nozzle 202.

Vertical support pieces 504 are bonded to flange 508 of nozzle 202 and repad 502. Vertical support pieces 504 are disposed within slot 708.

As a next step in the method, a first end of a vertical support piece is bonded to the tank shell. For example, a first end of vertical support piece 504 may be bonded to tank shell 106 via welding a first end of vertical support piece 504 to repad 502. In particular embodiments, slot 708 provides sufficient room around vertical support piece 504 for a welder to weld vertical support piece 504 to repad 502.

As a next step, a second end of the vertical support piece is bonded to the top flanged portion of the fitting. For example a second end of vertical support piece 504 may be bonded (e.g., welded) to flanged portion 508 of nozzle 202. In particular embodiments, vertical support piece 504 is bonded (e.g., welded) to flashing piece 704.

In other embodiments, the steps described with respect to FIGS. 8A and 9A may be performed in reverse order. For example, vertical support pieces 504 may be bonded to tank shell 106 and nozzle 202, and then a flashing piece, such as flashing piece 704 may be fitted around nozzle 202 and vertical supports 504. The width of slots 708 is generous enough that flashing piece 704 may be easily fitted around vertical supports 504.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and vertical reinforcements, according to some embodiments. FIG. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of nozzle 202, flashing piece 704, and vertical supports 504 illustrated in FIG. 9A.

As illustrated, vertical support 504 extends from tank shell 106 (or repad 502), through slot 708 in flashing piece 704, to flanged portion 508 of nozzle 202. In particular embodiments, slot 708 provides sufficient room around vertical support piece 504 either for a welder to weld vertical support piece 504 to repad 502 with flashing piece 704 installed or for an installer to fit flashing piece 704 around vertical support piece 504 with vertical support piece 504 already installed.

In particular embodiments, the back side of vertical support piece 504 (i.e., the side closest to nozzle 202) may be bonded to flashing piece 704. For example, a welder may weld the back side of vertical support piece 504 (i.e., the side in contact with flashing piece 704) to flashing piece 704.

The next steps of the method for flashing a jacketed tank car may be illustrated with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and slot closure pieces, according to a particular embodiment. FIG. 10A illustrates the components of FIG. 9A with closure pieces covering the slots in the flashing pieces.

Closure piece 1002 covers the portion of slot 708 not occupied by vertical support piece 504. Closure piece may be bonded to flashing pieces 704 and/or 706 and vertical support piece 504.

As a next step in the method, the slot in the first flashing piece is covered with a second flashing piece. For example, slot 708 in flashing pieces 704 and/or 706 may be covered with closure piece 1002.

As a next step, the second flashing piece is bonded to the first flashing piece and the vertical support. For example, closure piece 1002 is bonded (e.g., welded) to flashing pieces 704 and/or 706 and vertical support piece 504.

In particular embodiments, slot 708 provides a simple and convenient access for installing vertical supports 504 or for fitting flashing pieces around vertical supports 504. Closure piece 1002 provides a weather-tight seal for slot 708 to complete the flashing process.

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a tank car with example jacket flashing pieces and slot closure pieces, according to some embodiments. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of nozzle 202, flashing piece 704, vertical supports 504, and closure pieces 1002 illustrated in FIG. 10A.

As illustrated, closure piece 1002 covers or closes slot 708. In the illustrated example, closure piece 1002 overlaps flashing piece 704. In particular embodiments, closure piece 1002 may overlap or be flush with flashing pieces 704 and/or 706.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the example method for flashing a jacketed rail car described with respect to FIGS. 8A-10B. Additionally, one or more steps in the method may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.

Some embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages. As an example, particular embodiments enable a weather-tight seal around a flanged fitting that includes a number of vertical reinforcing supports between the flanged portion of the fitting and the tank shell (or a repad of the tank shell). Particular embodiments enable a rail operator to access bolt holes under the flanged portion of the fitting because the weather-tight seal is provided without boxing in the flanged portion of the fitting. Some embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all of these advantages. Other technical advantages may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the assemblies and apparatuses disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the assemblies and apparatuses may be integrated or separated.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the claims below. 

1. A method of flashing a jacketed rail car, the method comprising: covering an opening in a jacket of a tank shell of a rail car with a first flashing piece, the opening in the jacket permitting a fitting to protrude through the jacket, the fitting comprising a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter, the first flashing piece comprising: a first portion generally corresponding to a shape of a portion of the opening in the jacket; a second portion generally corresponding to a shape of the base portion of the fitting; and a slot; bonding the first portion of the first flashing piece to the jacket; bonding the second portion of the first flashing piece to the base portion of the fitting; bonding a first end of a vertical support piece to the tank shell, the vertical support piece extending through the slot in the first flashing piece; bonding a second end of the vertical support piece to the top flanged portion of the fitting; covering the slot in the first flashing piece with a second flashing piece; and bonding the second flashing piece to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein bonding the first end of the vertical support piece to the tank shell comprises inserting the first end of the vertical support piece in the slot and bonding the first end of the vertical support piece to the tank shell in the slot.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the slot is disposed beneath the flanged portion of the fitting when the first flashing piece is bonded to the base portion of the fitting.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flashing piece comprises a plurality of separate pieces to facilitate installation.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein bonding comprises welding.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flashing piece and the second flashing piece comprise steel.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fitting comprises a nozzle.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical support piece comprises steel.
 9. A rail car comprising: a generally cylindrical tank shell for transporting a commodity; a jacket covering the tank shell; an opening in the jacket permitting a fitting to protrude through the jacket, the fitting comprising a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter; a first flashing piece substantially covering the opening in the jacket around the fitting protruding through the jacket, the first flashing piece comprising a slot; a vertical support piece comprising a first end bonded to the tank shell and a second end extending through the slot of the first flashing piece and bonded to the top flanged portion of the fitting; and a second flashing piece covering the slot in the first flashing piece.
 10. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the slot of the first flashing piece is disposed beneath the flanged portion of the fitting.
 11. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the first flashing piece comprises a plurality of separate pieces bonded together to facilitate installation.
 12. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the first flashing piece is welded to the jacket and to the fitting.
 13. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the second flashing piece is welded to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece.
 14. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the first flashing piece and the second flashing piece comprise steel.
 15. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the fitting comprises a nozzle.
 16. The rail car of claim 9, wherein the vertical support piece comprises steel.
 17. A flashing assembly for a jacket of a tank car, the flashing assembly comprising: a first flashing piece comprising: a first portion corresponding to a shape of a portion of an opening in a jacket of a tank car, the opening in the jacket permitting a fitting to protrude through the jacket, the fitting comprising a base portion of a first perimeter coupled to the tank shell and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter greater than the first perimeter; a second portion corresponding to a shape of the base portion of the fitting; and a slot sized to accommodate a vertical support piece extending through the slot between the tank shell and the flanged portion of the fitting; and a second flashing piece sized to cover the slot in the first flashing piece.
 18. The flashing assembly of claim 17, wherein the slot is sized to permit bonding of the vertical support piece to the tank shell after the first flashing piece is bonded to the fitting.
 19. The flashing assembly of claim 17, wherein the first flashing piece comprises a plurality of separate pieces to facilitate installation.
 20. The flashing assembly of claim 17, wherein the fitting comprises a nozzle. 